NZ270031A - Round bale trailer with an open bottomed frame having side members that are pivotable from the frame along an axis parallel to the advance direction of the trailer - Google Patents

Description

270031 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 270031 Date: 30 November 1994 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Hay Bale Trailer We, GRANT KENNETH STEWART and JEFFREY PETER STEWART both New Zealand Citizens of Browns Road, Kaiwaka, New Zealand and COLIN KING a New Zealand Citizen of Hilltop Road, Kaiwaka, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: -6 MW 270031 This invention relates to apparatus for the transporting of round bales and in particular to apparatus for the transport of round bales between a round baler and a tunnel wrapper.

Currently in hay making operations the hay is baled by a round baler into round bales and the round bales are transported to a tunnel wrapper to wrap the bales.

Typically the operation of transporting the round hay bales from the baler to the wrapper is performed by the farmers using their tractors configured with front-end or rear-end loader forks. It has been found however that the frequency at which the bales are required to be supplied to the wrapper is difficult to attain with this approach, and consequently the farmers are often required to rush. This has at times been blamed as the cause of damage to the farmers' machinery. It has also been found that the use of loader forks can lead to excessive damage to the hay bales and that the hay bales can be prone to being dropped from the forks.

Therefore it is an object of this invention to provide a hay bale transporting apparatus which at least goes some way towards overcoming some 01 the above disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention consists in apparatus for carrying round hay bales comprising an open bottomed frame having two opposed side members, said frame advanceable in an advance direction to partially surround a round bale with said side members being disposed on opposite sides thereof a first pivoted member pivotable from one said side member of said frame along a pivot axis parallel to the advance direction capable when pivoted into a raised condition of acting in conjunction with a complementary supporting means as at least a skeletal partial cradle support for a round bale and when pivoted into a lowered condition of passing over the ground along side a round bale to be uplifted, the unwind/wind axis of the round bale being parallel to the advance direction, and means selectively controllable to alternately pivot said pivoted member between its lowered position and its bale supporting raised position. 270031 To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting. The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention in a bale carrying position, Figure 2 is an end view of the apparatus of Figure 1 in a bale unloading/loading position, Figures 3a to 3c show the sequence of actions required to load a bale using the apparatus of the present invention, Figures 4a to 4d show the sequence of actions required to load a second bale using the apparatus of the present invention, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the apparatus for carrying round hay bales is shown generally referenced 1. The apparatus has open bottomed frame 2 which, in the form of the invention shown, comprises longitudinal side members 9 and lateral forward member 8, the longitudinal side members and lateral cross member forming U-shaped open bottomed frame 2 around enclosed area 20. The open bottomed frame 2 is advanceable, having in the form of the invention shown wheels 19 at two corners thereof to movably support the open bottomed frame 2, and towing arm 5 centrally located and rigidly attached to lateral cross-member S, for attachment to the towing bar of a tractor or other towing vehicle.

First and second pivoted members 3 pivotal from said frame along a pivot axis parallel to the advance direction, in the figure shown first and second pivoted members 3 pivot from said frame along the axes of longitudinal members 9, are provided which in a raised condition are capable of acting as at least a skeletal partial cradle support for a round bale, and in a lowered condition being capable of passing over the ground 2 7 o 0 3 f alongside a round bale, the unwind/wind axis of the round bale being parallel to the advanced direction. In an alternative embodiment only one pivoted member may be provided which, in combination with for example a static member, is capable of providing a partial skeletal cradle support in a raised condition and capable of passing above the ground alongside a bale in its lowered condition. Pivoted members 3 in the embodiment shown comprise longitudinal members 25 arcuately moveable about longitudinal members 9 by radial members 7. Radial members 7 pivot about longitudinal members 9 of the open bottomed frame 2 at pivot points 6. In Figure 1 it can be seen that for the sake of simple robust construction the hinging means for pivoting radial members 7 about longitudinal members 9 comprise tubular gudgeons 23 rigidly attached to the pivot ends of radial members 7, the tubular gudgeons 23 being disposed around tubular longitudinal members 9. Means 24 are provided to alternately pivot said pivoted members between raised and lowered position, and in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1, these means 24 comprise hydraulic rams 15, the cylinder of the rams 15 rigidly secured to open bottomed frame 2, the ram pistons vertically actuable with respect to the frame 2. A cable or rope 16 is provided between moveable piston end 27 and a securing point 17 on pivoted members 3 so that extension of ram 15 causes the raising of pivoted member 3, and retraction of the ram 15 causes the lowering of the pivoted member 3 to the position shown in Figure 2. Preferably the cable or rope 16 passes through eye 18 to reduce the required ram travel. Alternative means for causing the raising or lowering of pivoted members 3 are possible, for example, still using hydraulic rams, the ram actuated directly between pivoted member 3 and frame 2, or for example other means might be used such as the tractor power take-off operating a chain drive including reduction to cause rotation of the pivoted members.

As shown in Figure 1 the frame preferably includes a number of further members to give structural strength and rigidity. In particular elevated member 4 supported by pillars 12 at the open end of open bottomed frame 2, transverse elevated member 4 is preferably at a height such that die member 4 will pass above a round bale when the round balers resting on the ground but will not pass over a bale if the bale is raised to 270031 an elevation such as that of a bale resting on pivoted members 3, with pivoted members 3 held in a substantially horizontal position. This will ensure that with a bale carried on the bale carrying apparatus the bale may not fall rearwardly and is retained on the apparatus by lateral elevated cross member 4. Preferably the cross member 4 has reinforcing members 13 to improve rigidity. The cross member 4 serves also to restrain the longitudinal members 9 from separation under the load of carried round bales. Open bottomed frame 2 also preferably has slightly elevated side members 10 vertically spaced from longitudinal side members 9, the elevated members 10 serving to both strengthen the overall structure and also to provide some lateral restraint if necessary of bales. Other lateral restraining members (not shown) may for example be positioned laterally adjacent elevated members 10, to guide and laterally support the bale. Such members may include outwardly turned rewarded end portions to help guide initial contacts with the bale. Further strengthening means shown in Figure 1 are towing bar braces 13. Also shown in Figure 1 is skid 14 on which the bale carrying apparatus may rest when not connected to a tractor or other towing vehicle.

Referring to Figure 5, a preferred form of the invention is shown which further includes outward deflection members 32, being an angled outward extension from the frame 2 to protect the rearwardly positioned wheels from damage in use. The trailer also preferably includes two inwardly displaced bale supporting rails SO parallel to the sides of open bottomed frame 2, the supporting rails connected by transverse members 51 to the side frame. In this preferred form of the invention a second transverse elevated member 54 is provided approximately in the mid-section of the open bottomed frame supported on and connecting vertical members 55. Vertical members 55 are preferably attached to both longitudinal members 9 and elevated members 10. Thus the second elevated transverse member 54 in conjunction with die vertical members 55 adds further strength and rigidity to the overall structure. In addition, vertical members 55 provide a framework for the operating means 24 which raise and lower the pivoted members. In this embodiment the means 24 comprise hydraulic rams having cylinders 56 and pistons 57 which act on slidable members 58 which enclose in a hole there through each of the vertical members 55. The cylinders 56 are preferably 27 0 0 31 welded to the outside portion of .the slidable members 58, and the pistons 57 are preferably welded at the end to curved members 53 protruding outwardly from lower frame members 9. A cable or rope 60 attached to the inner sides of slidable members 58 pass around pulleys 59 positioned on the pivoted members back to securing points 61 on the elevated frame side rails. Extension of the hydraulic rams therefore causes ram cylinders 56 to raise slidable members 58 relative to the trailer frame, thereby raising the pivoted members. This embodiment provides the advantages of that the hydraulic rams are substantially protected from damage in operation due to the bales, lateral forces acting on the hydraulic rams in action are substantially avoided as the ram is supported by vertical members 55 and the vertical members 55 are braced apart by the horizontal elevated member 54 which also provides increased rigidity to the overall frame structure.

With reference to Figures 3a - 3c a sequence of actions is shown which are required to load a bale using the apparatus described above. Figure 3a shows the apparatus in a preparatory position, the bale 30 in line with the opening 20 of open bottomed frame 2 of hay bale transporting apparatus 1. In the position shown the pivotal members 3 are held in their lowered position so that movement of the apparatus in the direction of the arrow 31 may allow the hay bale 30 to be accepted into the space 20. It should be noted that bar 4 may pass clearly over the hale bale 30 and pivotal members 3 pass around the sides of bale 30. It should also be seen that pivoted members 3 are provided with rearwardly inwardly rising portions 28 so that pivoted members 3 may be lowered to the ground, and contact with the ground will cause the pivoted members 3 to be pivoted, but pivoted members 3 will not become lodged in the ground. This effect is particularly enhanced by the use of the described rim and rope or cable pivoting means. With reference to Figure 3b the apparatus is shown in a position achieved by the movement of the apparatus in the direction of arrow 31 of Figure 3a, the hay bale 30 now being in the space 20 with pivotal members 3 still in their lowered position, the hay bales still resting on the ground. At this point the raising of pivotal members 3 as indicated by arrows 32 and 33, the hay bale in this position will lead to the support of the hay bale 30 by pivotal members 3 and therefore with continued 270031 raising of the members, the lifting of hay bale 30, so that the apparatus and hay bale will be as shown in Figure 3c. In Figure 3c it can be seen that the hay bale is retained supported by the skeletal partial cradle support formed by the raising of the pivotal members 3, the bale supported clear of the ground in positions such that the hay bale carrying apparatus may be easily towed. It can be seen also in Figure 3c that the hay bale is retained from rearward movement of the apparatus by elevated cross member 4.

With reference to Figures 4a - 4d a sequence of actions is shown required to load a second bale onto the apparatus as described. For loading of the second bale it is necessary that the first bale be loaded in that portion of the trailer closest to the open side of open bottomed frame 2, that being the foremost advancing end of the hay bale carrying apparatus. As shown in Figure 4a in loading the second bale the trailer is aligned with the space 20 in line with the unwind/wind axis of the second round bale 36 enabling it to be uplifted. The pivoted members 3 are then lowered as indicated by arrows 34 and 35 so that round bale 30 is brought to rest on the ground, the pivoted members 3 becoming clear of the hay bale 30, as shown in Figure 4b. With reference to Figure 4b, with round bales 30 and 36 resting axially aligned and substantially adjacent on the ground, and with pivoted members 3 in their lowered position, the trailer may be moved in the direction of arrow 37 so that both bale 30 and bale 36 are positioned in the space 20 between pivoted members 3, as shown in Figure 4c. With reference to Figure 4c the pivoted members 3 may now be raised as indicated by arrows 38 and 39, to uplift both bales 30 and 36, into a position as shown in Figure 4d. With reference to Figure 4d it can be seen that bale 30 and bale 36 are held clear from the ground, such that the hay bale carrying apparatus 1 may be easily towed by a tractor or other towing vehicle.

It can be seen from the foregoing that this invention has advantages over prior art methods of uplifting and transporting round hay bales over short distances, and that the operation is simple, the apparatus is robust and the bales may be transported rapidly and securely. 27003 Alternative configurations of the apparatus are considered possible. In an alternative to the device being a towed trailer, the device might for example have a self-contained driving source, effectively being a self-propelling vehicle.

Another alternative configuration sees the apparatus modified to include means to feed out bales, for example each pivoted member including endless loop chains, the movement of the chains causing the bales to rotate on the trailer, and means to shed hay from the rotating bale. 270031

Claims (16)

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. Apparatus for carrying round hay bales comprising an open bottomed frame advanceable in an advance direction to partially surround a round bale, said side members being disposed on opposite sides thereof, a first pivoted member pivotable from one said side member of said frame along a pivot axis parallel to the advance direction capable when pivoted into a raised condition of acting in conjunction with a complementary supporting means as at least a skeletal partial cradle support for a round bale and when pivoted into a lowered condition of passing over the ground ai Dng side a round bale to be uplifted, the unwind/wind axis of the round bale being parallel to the advance J erection, and means selectively controllable to alternately pivot said pivoted member between its lowered position and its bale supporting raised position.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said complementary supporting means comprises a second pivoted member pivotable from the other said side member of said frame along a pivot axis parallel to the advance direction, disposed opposite said first pivoted member.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein said open bottomed frame comprises a transverse end member, and a first and second longitudinal side member connected to said end member and held in a rigid spatial relationship thereto, said first pivoted member is pivotally connected to said first longitudinal member, and said second pivoted member is pivotally connected to said second longitudinal member.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said open bottomed frame includes a second transverse member rigidly secured to said frame at an opposing end of said frame to said transverse end member, and sufficiently elevated to pass over a round hay bale.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said means to alternately move said pivoted members comprises a hydraulic actuator, actuation of said actuator causing the raising or lowering of said pivoted members.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said means to alternately move said pivoted members comprises at least one hydraulic actuator 270031 attached to said open bottomed frame, a rope or cable or wire, extensible by actuation of said actuator, extension of said rope at said actuator causing raising or lowering of said pivoted members.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said rope is connected at one end to the moveable portion of said actuator, and said rope is connected at its other end to said first pivoted member.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said open bottomed frame and said pivoted members are of longitudinal dimension sufficient to accommodate two round bales in the direction of advancement.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein said apparatus includes two wheels and a hitching bar, said wheel mounted on said open bottomed frame on each side of said open bottomed frame, said hitching bar mounted at one end of said open bottomed frame.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said hitching bar is mounted on said first transverse member.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 and 8 or 9 wherein said means to move said pivoted member comprise an upright member, a cable connection means moveable vertically along the axis of said upright member, an actuator means operable to move said cable comiection means along said upright member, and a tension means connected between said cable connection means and said pivoted member.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 11 wherein said cable connection means has a hole there through, said upright member passing through said hole, an outer side of said cable connection means located on the outer side of said upright member and an inner side of said cable connection means located on the inner side of said upright member.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 12 wherein said actuator means is located along the outer side of said upright member, with its upper end attached to said outer side of said cable connection means, and said inner side of said cable comiection means is connected to said tension member. -11- 270031

14. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13 wherein said tension means comprises a flexible tension member.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein said tension means passes around a pulley means on said pivoted member and is connected at one end to said cable connection means and at its other end to said open bottomed frame.

16. A hay bale trailer substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. END OF CLAIMS DATED THIS O DAY OF & SON THE APPLICANT /%m 7